Chapter Ten: New Kind Of Fallout

It could have been hours or minutes later, I am not sure which, but the three of us stop crying.

After several minutes of sitting on the floor in silence, someone knocks on the door.

Unable to move from my position, I close my eyes and just let the person knocking keep knocking. Jenna eventually gets up and tells—whoever—

we will be out soon.

After the door closes again, I let out a sigh of relief.

"We should go. The tourists are getting restless," Jenna says.

"Yeah, you are right. Before we go though, how well do you know Keiran, Keith?" I look at Keith and he looks at me in confusion.

"We have worked together off and on since we met at book camp. Why?"

"Something just doesn't feel right about him, and while I was sleeping, he was in here. He left his phone and got a message about meeting at the corner store on Thursday, and it made me very uncomfortable. I think you introducing me to him means you trust him, but something is just not right with him."

"Shit," Jenna mumbles.

"What's wrong, darlin'?" Keith asks, getting up to get to her.

"Honestly, she is right, Keith. Something is not right with him. I know he is one of your best friends, but he has been creeping me out for a while now."

Keith looks at Jenna with a concerned look. "Jenna, there is something that I have not told you I recently found out about Keiran. Believe me, if I had known, I would have told you sooner."

Jenna looks confused.

Hell, I am confused.

"Do you want me to leave and make sure the tourists are behaving? I can…"

Keith cuts me off. "No, you are family, you need to know too." Keith sighs and continues. "Yesterday, I found out Keiran is my brother. Today before Keiran and I went to see you, Maggie, Keiran and I were discussing what that means for the two of us. I wanted to meet up with you to kind of help me…" I look at Keith in shock.

"He's your… brother… how does that work? Was he adopted?" I ask.

"Apparently, we share a father and he only recently found out. He went looking for other siblings and found me. Keiran is from Texas, raised on a farm on the Mexican border because his mother's family was from there. Our dad met his mom while he was stationed near Houston for about a week."

The look on Keith's face said that he did not understand it.

"How old is Keiran compared to you? Could it have been a one-night stand?"

"Keiran is about three months younger than I am. I looked through my father's military career and they never stationed him in Houston. He had some conference for about a week, though, that makes the dates match." Keith shakes his head. "I am trying to handle this as an adult. Keiran is not to blame for any of this. My father was a married man when he slept with Keiran's mother—while my mother was pregnant with me."

"But…" Jenna looks confused like she is trying to figure out what to say.

As if there is something that can be truly said in a situation like this.

"What do you know of Keiran's mother? Does he have any other siblings?" I ask.

"He has not told me much about his life other than knowing his father was a military man named Keir Christopher. And that being with him was the best week of her life." I think the three of us are good to not know more information on Keiran's mother's best week of sex with Keith's father who was married and Keith's mom already pregnant with him. Nope.

"Well, are you doing a DNA test to make sure? I would hate for him to not be your brother and you get attached. As much as I know you want someone to call family."

Keith nods. "We set up a test for tomorrow morning at ten a.m. It was the second soonest we could make. First soonest was five minutes from that phone call and neither of us could make it."

I nod, looking at Jenna, and she is quiet.

"No matter what, everything will work out. We are family. I hope you know I am an honorary Christopher." I reply to Jenna and Keith.

"Like I would want you to be anything less. I think we have hidden long enough. Let's go handle Mamaw." Keith grabs my hand and pulls me up with him.

With his arm around me protectively, we made our way back to the living room. The fire was losing steam, which made the house slightly colder.

"I'll add wood to the fire. Ma'am, Maggie is back if you want to talk to her." Jenna made her way towards the fireplace adding some wood to it, making the fire jump in delight.

Well, maybe not delight, but it made me feel some delight.

"I will make some tea—calming tea. Maggie, I will be in the kitchen."

I head to the couch and take a seat. Keith leaves me alone for a minute, but like the smart man he is, brings me back my blanket.

"Keiran left and might be back later."

He sits next to me after I smile a thank you to him. I really hope that Keiran is not coming back. I don't think I could handle more of him right now.

Looking around, I find Mamaw in a chair.

"Are you ready to talk now?" I ask.

"Now is as good a time as any."

In Mamaw's hands are two three-inch binders.

I can hardly wait to see what is within them.

~VOF~

AN:

I don't own Twilight.

Thank you everyone for reading and commenting! I really enjoy reading each one. MIdnite, AnakinSmom, sakari-x, and musicdaydreams, thank you all! Midnight, I am excited to see how this little tale is flowing. Anakin, you are right that real family are who you choose. Sakari-x, yeah...Jenna seeing things makes things difficult. Music...our Maggie is going to be Alice. Keith and Jenna are NOT Edward and Bella. They are still canon characters who are lesser-known. Though, I do think that Keith is a good lookin man! Photos are on my fandom Facebook page.

Thank you Midnite for your support in this tale and giving me the idea.

Monica. Words can't express my thanks to you and your making my words better. I love you!

Izzy, for your prereading! You rock!

Dani. for my beautiful banner!

I would love your theories on what is going to happen on Thursday.

Also...debating on starting a small spin-off of this story in Keiran's POV. Please let me know what you think!

Alright, everyone! Today my Princess turns five and we will be busy with birthday stuff the rest of the week. I can't believe my Princess is five and my little Prince will be three in a month! Time flies!

Stay safe!

Brier